If you are new to the forums, you must register a free account before you can post. The forums have a separate registration from the rest of www.chronofhorse.com, so your log in information for one will not automatically work for the other. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Chronicle of the Horse.

Miracle at Hoosier Horse Park

Most importantly no one was hurt. Gate crew couldn't get the gate off the track as the field was turning for home. Note the jockey that literally stands on his mount's back and jumps over the rail into the infield....

One of the horses did suffer a sesamoid fracture or injury I believe but yeah, it's a huge miracle nobody was injured or killed. They should have been way more prepared for something like this to happen. Giant FAIL.

They should have been way more prepared for something like this to happen. Giant FAIL.

What exactly would you suggest they do in the 60 seconds or so that they had after they realized the gate wasn't going anywhere and before the horses got there? They are called accidents and flukes for a reason

What exactly would you suggest they do in the 60 seconds or so that they had after they realized the gate wasn't going anywhere and before the horses got there? They are called accidents and flukes for a reason

Why isn't the announcer saying something to warm the jockeys that the gate has not moved???? Seems like the announcer should have seen the gate had not moved and started saying something well before the turn.

What exactly would you suggest they do in the 60 seconds or so that they had after they realized the gate wasn't going anywhere and before the horses got there? They are called accidents and flukes for a reason

Have a 2nd tractor in place as they do at most other tracks. Perhaps NOW they will.

How can there be so many currents in such a little puddle? National Velvet

What exactly would you suggest they do in the 60 seconds or so that they had after they realized the gate wasn't going anywhere and before the horses got there? They are called accidents and flukes for a reason

They are supposed to have a second tractor already running in the event that the first one doesn't work, PLUS the outrider is supposed to be sitting at the top of the stretch. There was sufficient time between when they must have realized the tractor wasn't working for the outrider to have ridden out and tried to the warn riders. It would have been far better to call off the race than to wait til the last second to see if the gate could have gotten out of the way in time.

The outriders carry radios (or are supposed to) that are tied into everybody on the track, including the gate crew. Gate crew should have notified the outrider that there was an issue as soon as it happened so he could have at least been prepared to stop the riders, even if they got the gate moved and he didn't need to. The gate is moved the moment the horses leave it, so there was definitely time for action.

For those asking about the announcer, it's pretty impossible for the jockeys to hear him but he still should have been notified by somebody and announced the gate malfunction as well.